The government is making active efforts to make our country more competitive and attractive, in Europe and the world. In this context, Christophe Lecourtier, Director-General of Business France, has submitted his proposals for supporting French businesses’ exports and stimulating the development of foreign investments in France, at the request of the three ministers overseeing him, Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jacques Mézard, Minister of Territorial Cohesion, and Bruno Le Maire, Minister of the Economy and Finance.

For the export aspect, the goal is to increase both the volume of exports and the number of exporters, thanks to an innovative, inclusive and collaborative public export service based on a rethink of how stakeholders are organized, including the state operator Business France, the Chambers of Commerce in France and abroad, the BPI [Public Investment Bank] and the private sector.

At regional level, the regions will be offered a one-stop shop combining Business France and the Chambers of Commerce and Industry, whose mission will be to identify and prepare export businesses by offering them a differentiated service.

Abroad, the public service mission of supporting businesses will be carried out in each country by a single stakeholder, according to homogeneous quality standards. New tools will be created by Business France in partnership with the stakeholders concerned, such as a digital platform helping to ensure continuity in the follow-up provided for companies throughout their export trajectories.

In terms of developing foreign investment in France, the goal is not only to increase the number of investments in France but also to speed up their implementation by conducting a new support policy.

Abroad, a better coordinated and more effective prospecting strategy will be set in motion, with the support of all the state services under the authority of ambassadors. In France, better coordination of government departments and stakeholders in regions will be sought, in order to facilitate and speed up the implementation of investment decisions.

Finally, a new services provision will be developed in order to respond better to international investors’ expectations, benefiting France’s attractiveness and image abroad.

Jean-Yves Le Drian, Jacques Mézard and Bruno Le Maire welcome Christophe Lecourtier’s proposals, which they see as ambitious, concrete and value-creating for businesses and the various stakeholders supporting them and which will soon be the focus of decisions, in line with the government’s next actions to support businesses. (…)./.